Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's volleyball team put together a strong showing at home, winning a pair of tightly contested matches by defeating SUNY Potsdam in four sets before outlasting Hilbert College in a five-set thriller to improve to 13–9 on the season.

GAME ONE: SUNY POLY VS SUNY POTSDAM

Set One

SUNY Poly weathered an early deficit as Potsdam jumped ahead 14–8 behind aggressive offense and blocking at the net. The Wildcats responded with a decisive mid-set surge sparked by Quincy Stayton, Andrew Baaki, and Peter Gottler, who combined for multiple kills to erase the gap. After tying the score at 20–20, SUNY Poly executed down the stretch, capitalizing on attack errors and getting a late kill from Gottler to secure a 25–23 comeback victory.

Set Two
The Wildcats seized control early in the second frame, racing out to a 6–1 advantage behind strong swings from Aaron Hennessy and Jordan Prusky and disciplined blocking from Stayton and Baaki. Potsdam cut into the lead midway through, but Slater's distribution and timely finishes from Gottler and Prusky kept SUNY Poly comfortably in front. A late push sealed a 25–21 win and a 2–0 match lead.

Set Three
Potsdam flipped momentum in the third, using a sustained scoring run and several service points to build separation. Despite kills from Stayton, Prusky, and Hennessy, the Wildcats struggled to slow Potsdam's offense as the Bears pulled away for a 25–15 decision to extend the match.

Set Four
SUNY Poly regrouped quickly, opening the fourth with a balanced attack featuring Gottler, Baaki, and Stayton. After Potsdam briefly kept the set close, the Wildcats strung together a key run highlighted by a Prusky ace and multiple transition kills. SUNY Poly maintained control late, and Stayton delivered the finishing swing to clinch a 25–18 set win and a 3–1 match victory.

GAME TWO: SUNY POLY VS. HILBERT

Set One
SUNY Poly came out aggressive in the opener, jumping ahead early behind kills from Prusky and Vincenzo Geloso and strong setting from Joe Rehbit. Ranger and Hollingsworth added offense during a decisive run, while service pressure created separation. The Wildcats closed confidently with late points from Ranger and Passmore to secure a 25–15 win.

Set Two
The second set featured constant momentum swings and multiple ties. Hilbert challenged late, but SUNY Poly leaned on clutch scoring from Passmore and Derek Gottler along with key blocks from Dylan Wharton and Eben Krein. With the score tied deep into extra points, the Wildcats strung together the final plays to claim a hard-fought 28–26 victory and take a 2–0 match lead.

Set Three
Hilbert responded with urgency in the third, using a late run and strong service pressure to turn a tight set into a 25–22 win. Despite kills from Geloso, Gottler, and Wharton, the Wildcats were unable to regain momentum as Hilbert forced a fourth set.

Set Four
The momentum stayed with Hilbert, which built an early lead and held off several SUNY Poly rallies. Late kills from Hennessy and Prusky helped the Wildcats close the gap, but Hilbert maintained control to finish the set 25–21 and even the match at two sets apiece.

Set Five
SUNY Poly delivered its strongest response in the decisive frame. Early points from Baaki and Hennessy set the tone, and Slater orchestrated the offense efficiently. A late run highlighted by a Gottler ace and consecutive kills from Hennessy pushed the Wildcats ahead for good, and SUNY Poly closed out a commanding 15–7 win to complete the 3–2 victory.